ISHS Acta Horticulturae 342: International Symposium on Horticultural Substrates other than Soil in situ
RX MEDIA - A CONCEPT FOR GROWING PLANTS IN CONTAINERS |
| Author: | F. A. Pokorny |
| Abstract:
The idea of a prescription medium, based on known particle-size distribution and associated physical properties, was conceived from reverse engineering studies conducted in the 1970's. With reverse engineering, an unknown potting medium is physically identified by screen analysis. A medium, physically identical to the unknown is constructed from its particle-size distribution. With a prescription medium, a particle-size distribution may be specified for a medium of desired physical characteristics. The medium is then constructed by blending together the correct quantities of specified particle sizes. With the proliferation of microcomputers and the development of mathematical equations for predicting such media properties as bulk density, screen analysis, water-retention characteristics, pH, and CEC, the concept of a computer-designed medium is extended to include medium selection based on known plant requirements. The possibility of an integrated cultural management program is suggested. | |
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